Steam trap for radiators



June l2, 1934. 3- J, PFLUGHEBER 1,962,360

STEAM TRAP FOR RADIATORS Filed July 31. 1933 ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE STEAM TRAP FOR RADIATORS George J. Pflugheber, Yonkers, N. Y.

Application July 31, 1933, Serial No. 683,039

3 Claims. (Cl. 236-53) This invention relates to means for controlling steam radiators in permitting the outflow of condensate and air i n the initial application of steam to the radiator and in checking the outflow of steam.

The invention is applied to the outlet end of a steam radiator and is operable with a ball check valve which may be a float raised by condensate but which is operable in the combination even with the absence of condensate.

The invention wi ll be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a view in elevation of a standard form of steam radiator showing the inlet valve and the improved outlet check valve.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the improved valve.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the expansion and associated elements of the valve showing a fragment of the ball in position and indicating by arrows outward passage of air or condensate, the section being taken on the line Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the expansion element moved forwardly through the influence of heat, the valve being closed by the ball.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the expansion element and its sleeve.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a standard type of radiator 1 having an inlet pipe 2 controlled by a usual form of valve 3, and an outlet pipe 4 controlled by the improved valve, the casing of which is indicated at 5.

Referring to Fig.

` 5 is formed with having at its base a projecting seat 6 upon which is adapted to rest is threaded within neck 6x projecting 2, it will be seen that casing an inner bowl-like chamber a float ball '7. Steam pipe 4 a hollow internally threaded from the casing 5, and opposite thereto its a neck 6mm having an interinner end threaded the casing wall.

Sleeve 8 is provi within an aperture formed in ded with a bore of lesser diameter which receives the inner portion or" an expansion element 9 and a bore of major diameter which receives the headed portion 9:1: of the expansion element, the major bore being threaded to receive a plug 10, the head of the expansion element being held against a shoulder a by the plug.

The inner annul ar end of expansion sleeve 8 is formed with a plurality of short spaced lugs l1, the lugs being so proportioned to the expansion element 9 that when the latter moves forwardly in its expansion through the influence of heat, its end lies fiush with the outer surfaces of the lug or projects slightly beyond them.

The expansion element 9 may be made of any suitable material such as a caoutchouc compound or a metal alloy, such compounds and metals be-v ing well known and available.

In the operation of the device, the ball '7 will normally rest on seat 6. When valve 3 is opened and steam admitted to the radiator 1, air within the radiator will be forced to pipe 4 and ordinarily will cause ball 7 to close the outlet of 70 casing 5, trapping the` air within the radiator. By reason of the present invention however, the ball will be pressed against the lugs 11 and the air will pass in the direction of the arrows, Fig.

3, through expansion element 9 and out pipe 4x. 75

Ii condensate has been trapped in the bowl of valve casing 5, oat 7 will be raised thereby, thus opening the expansion elements more fully to the outward passage of iiuid, as indicated in Fig. 2. When the air has been blown out of the .s0 radiator, steam will flow into casing 5 and through the expansion element 9 which will absorb the heat and thereby become elongated so that the iorwardend of the expansion element will be projected to the projection of the lugs l1, or beyond the same, the pressure of the steam against ball 7 insuring the latter against the opening of the expansion element and closing the same against further passage or the steam.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, being as follows1- 1. In steam traps for radiators, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, an expansion sleeve at the outlet of the casing, said sleeve being formed with a projection, a tubular expansion member within the sleeve and normally lying back of the projection, and a ball within the casing whereby fluid admitted to the casing will act upon the ball to press the same against the projection until the expansion member becomes heated and thereby becomes elongated so as to reach the end of said projection and aiord a seat for the ball.

2. In steam traps for radiators, a easing hav-V ing an outlet, a tubular expansion member carried by the casing at the outlet thereof and constituting a ball seat normally lying retracted out of contact with the ball, the casing also being at the outlet of the easing, said sleeve `being formed with a plurality of projecting lugs, a

tubular expansion member within the sleeve normally lying back of the front faces of said lugs, a plug threaded within the sleeve and holding the expansion member against movement except forwardly of the sleeve, and a ball within the casing whereby fluid admitted to the casing will act upon the ball and press the same against the lugs of the expansion sleeve until the expansion member becomes heated and thereby becomes elongated so as -to aord a seat for the ball.

GEORGE J. PFLUGHEBER. 

